Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-02-24
GREELEl'S ODDITIES.
DY NO MEANS AS ECCENTRIC AS
HE SEEMED TO BE.

So Say. the Veteran Journalist, Joe
Howard Jr.-Tour Instances From
Which the Reader Can Draw What
ever differences He Chooses.
Who can forget Horace Greeiey's affecta-
lions Of ecceutricityf
He was bv no manner of means the fool he
assImed to b.. That he WIS ambitious, anx-
ious for for public favor aud ford of money,
open to adultation and fattery, who that
knew his life would presume to deny: How
then can his affectationS Of dress, for they
were aifectationS. he accounted for, save on
the theory Of au unbalanced mind: Did it
seem reasonable that man after years Of
metropolitan life. at the head OF a great, and
at the time. the greatest journal in America,
asSociatiug with the first men Of his time,
Identified with all bread movements in the
interest OF his fellcwmen could, unless by
accident make a guy Of himself, morning,
noon and night. unless he did it with intent:
| recall four illustrations Of intentional
arectation on the part of Horace Greeley.
The first was in Sacramento, Cal \ large
audience had assembled to hear him speak,
and he was detained on the road. On arrival
WIS tH " Att' ~ 'tNi ~ L'Ntls anu
hurried to a room that he might partake of
some refreshment and dress before his lecture.
The impatience of the audience was asSua,ed
by the announcement that Mr.. Greeley was
adjusting his toilet, and making himself com
Portable after a long and tedious stage ride.
He reached the hail at O'Clock.
Was he dressed! How
Precisely as when he left the stage coa6b.
4 1 L. l.. -.
He hadn't changed a sin lie article OF hi at
tire, from coat 10 shirt. from collar to ioots.
Absolutely covered with dust, with crava,
awry, with collar dirty and rumpled, with
shirt front diSarranged, with unpolish,d
boots, he shambled into the hail, and up the
long aisle, until, standing on the platform,
dirty, ill-kempt, unattractive, he faced an
audience mainly of New England men and
women, each arrayed in accordance win
dceorum.
What was that'
Eccentricity, oddness not only, but an af-
fcCtation of the extremity Of each.
On another occasion. in Paris he, rs n del
egate from the United States TO the great
exposition, was notified TO meet his fellow
delegates in specified salon. Mr. Greeley
and Erastus Brooks, another delegate, arrived
III aLNdilNN bl tAlitlS- NJ. lPipth>. VINO
was the very personification of neatncSs and
tlimneSs, noticed that Nj. Grceley's trousers
were hitched up over the leg Of his boot and
al some personal Inconvenience having called
his attention 10 it. kneeleh and adjusted the
garment. Later on in the reception room,
where the delegates from all countries had
met for n formal presentation, imagine the
disgust and annoyance CT Slr. Brooks when
he saw that Mr. Greeley had reiisarranSed
hi trousers, 50 that the bottoms Of them still
rcst1d upon the legs of his boots.
What was thaJl
Years after that had occasion to call on
Mr. Greeley in his home, relative 10 matters
ia Washington He WAS i'll and in bed The
betistead was placed across the corner ot the
room. In the center was a revolving book
case, against which rested long mirror,
Arsicles of clothing were strewn about the
floor and intenSeSt confusion dominated the
place. Mr.. Greeley was not seriously III. hut
by the advice of his physician kept his bed
several days So far Us confusion, NAL
arrangement and observation-disclosures were
concerned that bedroom capped the climax.
Was that intentional!
HIS NECKTIE AwRY.
TIE ''"'
M some time after then in Printing House
square, Immediately in front of The Tribune
budding. A committee on arrangements
provided places on the programme for Pro
feSsor Morse. Mr.. Greeley and others. We
were all to meet in The Tribune editorial
rooms and go in procession to the statue. 1t
was a memorable occasion, and every man
paid such respect to the proprietieS AS could
Greeley walked down the stairs arm in arm
with Professor Morse, with the collar Of his
overcoat turned inwards, his necktie awry
and one leg of his trousers hitched up ON top
of his boot
Was that intentional or accidental!
Horace Greeleywas a man packed with affec
ta:ions. ] always believed his eccantricities To
be assumed because they were such palpable
contradictions of all that he saw about him,
of all he learned of his unusual attrition with
men of the world. He was proud of the
oddity he presented. 1t Sratitied him 10 lie
pointed out as peculiar, as distinct Ill his per-
sonality from his fellows. An evidence of
weakness You think. Why certainly an evil
dence of weakness in one Of the greatest, one
of the grandest men known to American
history. He would have been brave man
who dared pronounce Horace Greeley insane
by reason Of these peculiar developments,
and Vet it is difficult to reconcile his UnqueS-
toned ability, his world wide experience, his
rare power of thought. bis competency IN
argument. with tbeS-. petty developments of
vanity and of self satisfaction. When you
come to think of it YOU will fLli evidence o:
eccentricity III nearly all the mel and women
of prominence you ever heard of.-Joe How
ard in Kansas City Journal.